Everything You Need to Know About Public Housing

Public housing was set up by the federal government to provide safe housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) dispenses federal aid to state Housing Agencies across the country that manage public housing units. These funds cover property costs so that rents can be set at affordable prices to eligible tenants.

Who is Eligible?

Public housing is reserved for low-income individuals and families. A local Housing Agency (HA) judges your eligibility based on:

Annual gross income

US citizenship of legal immigration status

Whether you qualify for reasons of age, disability, or income

If found eligible, the HA will check your references to ensure you will be a good tenant. If you are deemed a risk to the community or the property, the HA may deny your application.

In regards to income limits, there are varying standards. But public housing is generally reserved for those who earn less than 50% of the median income of the metropolitan area in which they will live. Your local HA will be able to provide you with exact figures regarding income qualifications.

How Do I Apply?

If you are interested in applying for public housing, contact your local HA. If you have trouble contacting the HA, contact the local HUD Field Office.

How Does the Application Process Work?

The application must be submitted in person. Either you or the HA representative will fill it out. Before applying, be sure to have the following information:

Names of all persons who will be living in the unit, their sex, date of birth, and relationship to the family head;

Your present address and telephone number;

Family characteristics (e.g., veteran) or circumstances (e.g., living in substandard housing) that might qualify the family for tenant selection preferences;

Names and addresses of your current and previous landlords for information about your family's suitability as a tenant;

An estimate of your family's anticipated income for the next twelve months and the sources of that income;

The names and addresses of employers, banks, and any other information the HA would need to verify your income and deductions, and to verify the family composition; and

The PHA also may visit you in your home to interview you and your family members to see how you manage the upkeep of you current home.

After submitting your application, an HA representative will explain the public housing program and its requirements, and answer any questions you might have.

Will I Need to Produce Any Documentation?

Yes, the HA representative will request whatever documentation is needed (e.g., birth certificates, tax returns) to verify the information given on your application. The PHA will also rely on direct verification from your employer, etc. You will be asked to sign a form to authorize release of pertinent information to the PHA.

When Will I Be Notified?

An HA has to provide written notification. If the HA determines that you are eligible, your name will be put on a waiting list, unless the HA is able to assist you immediately. Once your name is reached on the waiting list, the HA will contact you. If it is determined that you are ineligible, the HA must say why and, if you wish, you can request an informal hearing.

Will I Have To Sign a Lease?

If you are offered a house or apartment and accept it, you will have to sign a lease with the HA. You may have to give the HA a security deposit. You and the HA representative should go over the lease together. This will give you a better understanding of your responsibilities as a tenant and the HA's responsibilities as a landlord.

Are There Any Selection Preferences?

Sometimes there are. Giving preference to specific groups of families enables an HA to direct their limited housing resources to the families with the greatest housing needs. Since the demand for housing assistance often exceeds the limited resources available to HUD and the local HAs, long waiting periods are common. In fact, an HA may close its waiting list when there are more families on the list than can be assisted in the near future.

Each HA has the discretion to establish preferences to reflect needs in its own community. These preferences will be included in the HAs written policy manual. You should ask what preferences they honor so you will know whether you qualify for a preference.

How is Rent Determined?

Your rent, which is referred to as the Total Tenant Payment (TTP) in this program, would be based on your family's anticipated gross annual income less deductions, if any. HUD regulations allow HAs to exclude from annual income the following allowances: $480 for each dependent; $400 for any elderly family, or a person with a disability; and some medical deductions for families headed by an elderly person or a person with disabilities. Based on your application, the HA representative will determine if any of the allowable deductions should be subtracted from your annual income. Annual income is the anticipated total income from all sources received from the family head and spouse, and each additional member of the family 18 years of age or older.

The formula used in determining the TTP is the highest of the following, rounded to the nearest dollar:

30 percent of the monthly adjusted income. (Monthly Adjusted Income is annual income less deductions allowed by the regulations);

10 percent of monthly income;

welfare rent, if applicable; or

a $25 minimum rent or higher amount (up to $50) set by an HA

What is the Role of the HA?

An HA is responsible for the management and operation of its local public housing program. They may also operate other types of housing programs.

On-going functions: (a) Assure compliance with leases. The lease must be signed by both parties; (b) Set other charges (e.g., security deposit, excess utility consumption, and damages to unit); (c) Perform periodic reexaminations of the family's income at least once every 12 months; (d) Transfer families from one unit to another, in order to correct over/under crowding, repair or renovate a dwelling, or because of a resident's request to be transferred; (e) Terminate leases when necessary; and (f) maintain the development in a decent, safe, and sanitary condition.

Sometimes HAs provide other services, that might include such things as: homeownership opportunities for qualified families; employment training opportunities, and other special training and employment programs for residents; and support programs for the elderly.

How Long Can I Stay in Public Housing?

In general, you may stay in public housing as long as you comply with the lease.

If at reexamination your family's income is sufficient to obtain housing on the private market, the HA may determine whether your family should stay in public housing.